Article: Train passengers willing to pay extra to secure a seat ...

[HappyTrainGuy]

IIRC the wi-fi option was originally intended for instant security purposes ie security cameras streamed live back to control as opposed guards relaying information, waiting to sending the train back, sending the train back, downloading footage, sending footage to whoever and what not all before passengers had the benefits of browsing the internet and reading their emails.

[Stillwater]

Wi-fi on trains allows for direct, real-time upload of security feeds from cameras on boards.  For that reason, I value wi-fi connection, even if I don't use a laptop on board.

[Golliwog]

IIRC the wi-fi option was originally intended for instant security purposes ie security cameras streamed live back to control as opposed guards relaying information, waiting to sending the train back, sending the train back, downloading footage, sending footage to whoever and what not all before passengers had the benefits of browsing the internet and reading their emails.

True, but what need is there to make it an open network for passengers to use? I'm most certainly supportive of the wi-fi going in for improved use of security cameras and all that jazz, and while I like the idea of the free wi-fi, think perhaps that is a bit of a waste. Don't tell CM though, it might end up in their next edition of 'Waste Watchers' 

[justanotheruser]

exactly golliwog. There is no need to make it free if installed for security purposes. Actually it would be better not to as alot of users can slow down connection speeds. So if that is the reason best make it a closed network. Not to mention I know people who love nothing better than stuffing up other peoples free wi-fi as well as sending viruses from their mobile to other mobile phones!

[Gazza]

Not to mention I know people who love nothing better than stuffing up other peoples free wi-fi as well as sending viruses from their mobile to other mobile phones!

Sh%t argument. We might as well not have free wi-fi anywhere if we're going to use that reasoning.

[dwb]

I was watching one of those "relocation relocation" lifestyle shows - being  a Pom it's a nice nostalgia trip seeing old villages and houses etc. In this episode the young professional couple had to move a lot further out of London than their budget actually allowed so they switched to commuting by rail from somewhere in Essex IIRC.

"That's ok" said the lass, "I can go business class and assured of a seat and can catch up with work on the laptop on the way in....". BC looked very acceptable. In the USA they have club cars (there was a whole movie set in one) - commuters seem to be valued in other parts of the world, why does Brisbane only offer cattle class? Some sort of unwritten-mateship-of-the-fair-go classless society long-defunct idea maybe?

I don't believe we have ever had cattle class here in Oz unlike the UK where it was open carriages and everyone stood. All that stuff sounds nice but at the end of the day ther is better stuff to be spending money on. Personally I don't believe trains should introduce free wi-fi. Why should I as a taxpayer pay for others to access the internet. Pay for it yourself as mobile internet is available now. What we can support is increased frequency across the entire network especially when some upgrade work is done.

I actually think wifi is a key service that should be offered on trains, buses and ferries. It probably shouldn't be unlimited, but some connectivity I think is required given the market saturation of internet capable devices, the ability of those devices to improve the comfort and convenience of your ride (for instance via information) and the patchy telco coverage of many networks esp in tunnels, behind hills, at speed.

[justanotheruser]

Not to mention I know people who love nothing better than stuffing up other peoples free wi-fi as well as sending viruses from their mobile to other mobile phones!

Sh%t argument. We might as well not have free wi-fi anywhere if we're going to use that reasoning.

however place like Mcdonalds do it as customer service not a security thing. Why compromise the main objective by jamming the network with users and having to sort out legal stuff to ensure you can't get sued. Remember you can be sacked for gossiping at work so there are legal ramifications for offering free wi-fi. I see no reason why people should not pay for it themselves. So what if it is a crap service through the telcos. So were mobile phones 20 years ago yet now the service is good. It will improve

[Gazza]

Remember you can be sacked for gossiping at work so there are legal ramifications for offering free wi-fi.

What has that got to do with anything? The rest of society provides WiFi, yet a train is somehow different because it's a moving vehicle or something?

Oooohh, we might get sacked for using Wifi. Lets ban wifi then.

Still not convinced me the least bit anway...Ah yes, the classic line brought out by people when they want to oppose something "There's issues".

OK, so not hotels or restaurants then, but what about places like Federation Square in Melbourne, or other transport facilities like Airports...Or the fact they are ALREADY DOING wifi down in Sydney? Why is the QR situation any different to Sydney.
Tell me, do other ISPs get sued by people for these 'legal reasons' you quote?

Why compromise the main objective by jamming the network with users and having to sort out legal stuff to ensure you can't get sued.

With respect to the point about jamming the network with users when the system actually has to be used for security footage transmissions....Well quick, you'd better email the IT guys implementing this, they probably never thought of that situation!
Seriously though, in an actual usage situation, you'd set it up to just throttle the rest of the connections.

As for charging people to use it...What's the point? Internet is so cheap these days, that's why even small businesses can afford to provide WiFi.
And you're making it sound as if its huge amounts of data we are talking about, but see http://www.itnews.com.au/News/264071,nsw-public-transport-wi-fi-in-new-agencys-hands.aspx but its not actually.

10,000 users between September 2010 and January this year who generated 26,000 sessions and downloaded 55 GB of data during the first two months

10,000 people only managed to use 55GB in two months...Or 27.5 GB a month....Mate, you can get domestic internet plans that provide triple that amount of data for under $50 a month.
It would hardly be costing them anything to provide that.

[wbj]

The people who could receive most benefit from access to wi fi on a train are those who spend the most time on the train.  Since there isn't any significant fare discount for those who spend the most time on the train, this offers some minor additional benefit for such passengers.

[justanotheruser]

Remember you can be sacked for gossiping at work so there are legal ramifications for offering free wi-fi.

What has that got to do with anything? The rest of society provides WiFi, yet a train is somehow different because it's a moving vehicle or something?

Oooohh, we might get sacked for using Wifi. Lets ban wifi then.

Still not convinced me the least bit anway...Ah yes, the classic line brought out by people when they want to oppose something "There's issues".

OK, so not hotels or restaurants then, but what about places like Federation Square in Melbourne, or other transport facilities like Airports...Or the fact they are ALREADY DOING wifi down in Sydney? Why is the QR situation any different to Sydney.
Tell me, do other ISPs get sued by people for these 'legal reasons' you quote?

Why compromise the main objective by jamming the network with users and having to sort out legal stuff to ensure you can't get sued.

With respect to the point about jamming the network with users when the system actually has to be used for security footage transmissions....Well quick, you'd better email the IT guys implementing this, they probably never thought of that situation!
Seriously though, in an actual usage situation, you'd set it up to just throttle the rest of the connections.

As for charging people to use it...What's the point? Internet is so cheap these days, that's why even small businesses can afford to provide WiFi.
And you're making it sound as if its huge amounts of data we are talking about, but see http://www.itnews.com.au/News/264071,nsw-public-transport-wi-fi-in-new-agencys-hands.aspx but its not actually.

10,000 users between September 2010 and January this year who generated 26,000 sessions and downloaded 55 GB of data during the first two months

10,000 people only managed to use 55GB in two months...Or 27.5 GB a month....Mate, you can get domestic internet plans that provide triple that amount of data for under $50 a month.
It would hardly be costing them anything to provide that.

Try reading the posts I make Gazza. I never said anyone HAS been sued just that the potential is there. It is only a very recent ruling re the gossiping. Perhaps paying attention to the news might have helped you realise that.

If it is so cheap why not get people to pay for it themselves? Really what is the desperate need that we have to provide free wifi? there is none. Sure we can kick people off if need be but I can assure you after all my years of experience in customer service that will just p%ss people off.

[Gazza]

Try reading the posts I make Gazza. I never said anyone HAS been sued just that the potential is there. It is only a very recent ruling re the gossiping. Perhaps paying attention to the news might have helped you realise that.

Well can you give me a link or something.

I just think its crazy to say that QR would somehow be liable for its users gossping. What's next? People suing internode because somebody sent a nasty email, or somebody sueing telstra because of an slanderous SMS?

If it is so cheap why not get people to pay for it themselves?

Because then you have to pay to administer accounts.

Really what is the desperate need that we have to provide free wifi?Huh? there is none. Sure we can kick people off if need be but I can assure you after all my years of experience in customer service that will just p%ss people off.

There is no desparate need, but I do see value adding as a good thing.